Call to order the
executive committee and
As for a safety briefing by Frank customer on our chief executive officer of safety security and compliance Frank
Morning, sir. McCallan committee members as a reminder in the event of a fire alarm activation. We're gonna exit the building
Go downstairs and stage away from the building just outside a Metro customer service
If we have an earthquake, I'm gonna ask you to drop take shelter
Cover your head wait for the shaking to stop. I'll do an evaluation of evacuation as necessary
The event of a first aid situation, I'll be your initial first aid provider
I'll ask miss Paney on a contact Metro security where the ad is located and
In the event of an active attacker. We always remind you to run high fight that concludes this morning safety briefing
Have a good Friday. Thank you very much Frank
Or would you lead us in the pledge?
public for which it stands one nation for liberty and justice for call please
Vice Chair Chafee present remote second vice chair Bergson here director
Tremblay director Najarian here chairman Callan here we do have a quorum present
very much do we have any public comment I have not received any written public
comment or any request to speak very good we're going to our regular calendar
then our first item is approval of the meeting minutes of February 9th move the
minutes we have a motion and a second would you call for the vote please I
share chafee I second vice chair Bergson yes director Tremblay is absent director
Najarian yes chair McCallin yes a motion carried thank you very much onto 6b
Which is an action item title 6 public hearing for an Oat Valley line schedule
Expansion presented by David Hwang or a planning manager one David
Good morning, mr. Chair and member committees. My name is David Hwang. I'm a Jolyne planning manager. I'm here with my
colleagues
fair managers
We are here to ask the community to recommend the board to
authorize the initiations of a public outreach for the Andrew Valley line expansions. Next slide, please.
So last year's Metrolinx, we expand the
Andrew Valley line service from 11 train to 15 during the weekday in each directions.
As the operators of the Andrew Valley line service,
Metrolinx is required to conduct a public outreach by the FTA as a Title VI for all the major service changes that
remain in effect for more than six months.
Next slide, please.
So along with the new Vista Canyon stations,
the new schedule's scheduled at five new afternoon
to evening service for the inbound
to the area union stations,
and for new morning and evening outbound train.
The new service help fill the schedule gap
during the evenings and make it easier
for our rider to take our service.
Next slide, please.
Morning, Director and committee members.
As you've heard me talk about before,
the Title VI effort requires an opportunity
for the public to comment on the changes
to the Title VI process.
So this is a brief summary of what we normally do.
We do electronic station message boards
to let people know that we are having a community meeting.
We email notifications regarding
the public outreach meeting,
which will be held on April 18th.
We post notices, information, and online social media regarding the meeting.
We print in 14 different LEP, which is limited English proficiency languages.
Our public meeting on April 18th is held in English and in Spanish.
And if there is someone who needs another language, they let us know.
We'll be happy to provide that for them.
And we'll also do of the, it's the virtual public workshop.
Next slide, please.
Okay so the public comment period will open amongst both approvals on March 29th
and the virtual committee meetings will be held on the week of April 18th. The
staff will come back to committees with a result of public outreach and equity
analysis on March 10th, I'm sorry, on May 24th the public comment period will end
with the public hearings in the board meetings. This conclude my report, be
happy to answer any questions. Thank you very much for that information and as
you said the board meeting will be on the 29th not on the 22nd as shown on
the slide. Comments, questions from committee members? Seeing none, this is an
action item. I'd ask for a motion.
Director Burke will move. Second, Najarian.
We have a motion and a second. Madam Clerk would you call the roll?
Roll.
Vice Chair Chafee.
Aye.
Second, Vice Chair Bergson.
Yes.
Director Trumbly.
Yeah.
Director Najarian.
Yes.
Chair McCallin.
Yes.
That motion carried unanimously.
Thank you, thank you very much for your presentation.
Appreciate it.
Next, we have proposed amendments to the agency's classification and
salary plan and market adjustments to employee compensation.
by Roxanne Randolph, our interim chief people officer. Roxanne.
Good morning, Chair and members of the ECOM. I'm presenting item 6C, a proposed
amendments to the agency's classification and salary plan and market adjustments
to employee compensation. Next slide. HR policy 2.1, salary administration, states
that salary studies shall be conducted at least once every five years by an
independent consultant. In 2022 the Segal group initiated an agency-wide study
and the findings were presented at the January 12th Econ meeting and January
26th board meeting. The primary goal was to review Metrolinx classification and
salary plan and make recommendations to number one ensure internal equity and
external market competitiveness, number two ensure that employees are
compensated consistent with their job responsibilities, and number three to
ensure that the pay structure is competitive with the market. Next slide
please. The proposed amendments to the classification and salary plan include
moving from 22 grades, grades A to V, to 18 grades, grades 1 to 17, with grade 11
split into two separate ranges. Additionally it's proposed, or the new
salary, proposed salary ranges have a consistent 55 percent spread between the
minimum and the maximum of each salary range.
Additionally, there are proposed changes to some classification titles and grades.
All of these items are outlined in, all of the changed items are outlined in the salary
resolution.
In addition to the changes to the classification and salary plan, also there are proposed market
adjustments to employee compensation.
It's a total of 15 employees who are, have recommended adjustments, ranging generally
between 5 and 10 percent, and the total cost of these market adjustments is around $140,000.
Next slide, please.
Staff recommends the approval of the salary resolution to amend the classification and
salary plan as well as the approval of the market adjustments for the 15
employees as required by HR policy 2.1. Next slide. This concludes my item and
I'm happy to answer any questions that you have. Thank you Roxanne. Any questions
or comments? Seeing none this is an action item is there a motion? I'll move the item.
I have motion and second, Madam Clerk. Would you call for the vote?
Vice Chair Chafee? Aye.
Second Vice Chair Burksen? Yes.
Director Tremblay? Yes.
Director Najarian? Yes.
Chair McCallin? Yes.
The motion carried unanimously. Very good. Thank you, Roxanne.
Thank you. Next is our brand awareness study, Wave 4, presented by Henning Eichler, our
manager of marketing insights and analytics. Good morning Mr. Chair, members
of the committee, this is a receiving file with an update on our latest brand
tracker survey. Next slide please. So what is a brand tracker? It's an online
public awareness survey that measures awareness and perception of the
Metrolink brand and our services. It's an online survey of the general
population and includes both Metrolink riders and non riders throughout our
service area. Next slide please. So the last survey was conducted in November of
last year. We received 1,300 responses and what the findings have shown, you see
this chart here, that awareness of Metrolink remains very high through the
last several years. 68% of respondents indicate they either know a lot or know
a little about Metrolink. But what the survey results also show that a true
understanding of Metrolink could only be demonstrated by what half of those
respondents. What we've seen is that a true understanding of Metrolink services
and the brand, what we stand for is very much correlated with actually having taken the
train.
It's the experience of the service itself.
So that actually is a very strong indication how important our free ride days promotions
are, as well as our free student fare.
It brings a lot of new riders onto the system to experience the train firsthand.
Next slide, please.
Our current Metrolink logo was introduced in the summer of 2022.
Since then, awareness of the logo has increased from 11 percent to now 16 percent.
But we've also seen that the awareness is particularly high, again, among riders, among
those who have taken the train.
Next slide, please.
We have also measured the awareness of our two major fair programs.
One is the Mobility for All, that is our low-income fair discount program.
The awareness of that program has reached now 15 percent, and that is up from 11 percent
when it was launched.
The other major program, of course, is our Student Adventure Pass.
This program has achieved an awareness of 22 percent, barely two months since launch,
so it actually shows the very strong interest in this free fair program that has a much
wider reach than our existing mobility fall program.
Next slide, please.
So the findings of this latest survey are very much in line with our earlier potential
rider study, and both these surveys inform our current brand strategy, which is both
an ongoing and evolving strategy.
It focuses on security and safety, on free connections, as well as information on how
to ride Metrolink.
And we're also realigning our programs and campaigns with this overarching brand strategy.
And that completes my report.
Are there any questions?
Thank you.
Any questions on this topic?
Seeing none, this is a receive and file, and without objection, that's what the committee
will do.
Thank you, Henning.
Thank you.
Next, we have our March legislative update presented by Jeff Dunn, our director of government
and community relations, Jeff, you're up.
Thank you, Chair, members of the committee.
Next slide, please.
Yes, as noted in your report,
our community relations team
upon action of the Metrolink Board this month
will initiate the Title VI public hearing process
to assess potential impacts of the expanded AVL service
as reported to you earlier today.
We are in the process of assimilating
all of the relevant information concerning this
into a page on the Metrolink website
that will go live on March 29th after the board opens the Title VI process.
This will include notices of the virtual public meeting Metrolink will hold on
April 18, followed by the public hearing held by the board on May 24th, and
survey information in English and Spanish that participants will complete
to assess and comment on impacts they experience from the expanded service,
with translation to additional languages that will be available upon request. In
In addition to advertisements, noticing the public meeting,
Metrolink will place in local newspapers
and through social media including Facebook,
X, Nextdoor, and other platforms,
Metrolink will also reach out to dozens
of community-based organizations located along the line,
many of which are newly added to our CBO database
we've been compiling throughout 2023
to increase participation in such efforts as these
and to build stronger ties
with all the communities that we serve.
We are looking forward to robust participation
and community input to share with the board
to inform its action when it holds
the public hearing on May 24th.
Next slide.
The state matters, as noted in your report,
CEO Mr. Kettle last month participated
in the Mobility 21 State Advocacy Trip in Sacramento,
held every year shortly after release
of the governor's budget to transmit initial messages
and input from Southern California's transportation transit
and related business communities to the proposed budget.
As you know from prior budget years,
this budget is likely to change substantially
with release of the Mayo Revise
and once state revenues for the fiscal year
are more fully known.
Much of this year's advocacy effort
will be focused on playing defense, if you will,
on the robust $5.1 billion of transit funding
provided in the current state budget
that grants broad flexibility for use of funds
for capital or operational purposes.
in light of the LAO's projected possible budget deficit this year, which has climbed
to as high as $73 billion after initially being reported as a projected deficit of $68
billion. It is important to note that the State Department of Finance has pegged the
estimated budget deficit at $38 billion, roughly one-half the LAO-estimated amount. And, in
prior years, initial estimates of both LAO and DOF have been off the mark by as much
as tens of billions of dollars.
As my lobbyist continually reminds me, paraphrasing the words of Yogi Berra, predictions are hard,
especially when they're about the future.
We'll keep you apprised, however, as this unfolds.
With respect to bill updates, SB 1098, as described in your report, offered by Senator
Katherine Blakesphere, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Low Sand Corridor Resiliency,
be heard in first policy committee on April 9.
Mr. Kettle, with strategy and government relations staff, held a meeting this week with Senate
Transportation Committee consultants to discuss the bill, and we will be meeting with our
partners in the corridor to assess whether any clarifying amendments are necessary or
would help to achieve the bill's purposes, which are to improve the operation of and
prioritize investment into the corridor.
These efforts are just beginning and they will be closely coordinated with OCTA and
the other impacted agencies.
We will, of course, keep you apprised of any developments and we are closely tracking this
bill.
Next slide, please.
Turning to federal matters, the big news today is, as previously reported by the CEO to the
other committee, the House has passed a budget agreement, and presently I understand it is
is on the floor of the Senate and is expected to be passed momentarily, an agreement on
roughly half of the appropriations bills that fund the government for fiscal year 24, including
THUD. Bear in mind, because the federal fiscal year runs from September, this should have
been passed by or before September 30 of last year, but has been delayed due to differences
both between the parties and within the caucuses of each party to agree upon spending levels.
We are hopeful that the fiscal year 25 appropriations process will proceed without delay and result
in passage of a bill by or before September of this year as we are in an election year
and not passing a budget before the election is not a good look for anybody.
To that end, we are presently identifying and compiling earmark requests for fiscal
year 25 that will include approximately a dozen requests throughout the network because
We have not yet received submission forms, nor individual office deadlines from the great
majority of our delegation offices.
We cannot provide a lot more information on these submissions, except that they likely
will occur within the next month to six weeks, and we will be contacting our board chair,
vice chair, and other board members in whose jurisdictions the earmarks are located for
support letters.
So this will start as early as next week and proceed throughout April.
You have been forewarned.
Moving forward into the congressional session, we will have opportunity to carry forward
the Board's adopted legislative platform objectives, including in conjunction with
our participation in the APTA legislative conference in April and the annual Mobility
21 D.C. advocacy trip in early June, as well as the CTA federal trip later in the year
dates to be determined.
Additionally, the Commuter Rail Coalition, on whose Board our CEO sets, will also be
active on issues of concern to the entire passenger rail industry.
Our issues will continue to focus on a few things, including our most recent reapplication
through the RAISE federal grant program, funding for tier four locomotives, resubmitted at
the direct suggestion of FRA Administrator Amit Bose, and in recognition of the larger
award of matching state funds from the Carl Moore program by the South Coast Air Quality
Management District. Thank you, Chair McCallum, for your direct assistance in that effort.
That will help us advocate not only the need for but the robust participation of state and
local funding sources necessary to justify an award allowing us to purchase this critically
needed rolling stock. Additionally, we will continue to press the case for our Olympics needs
in 2028 and the need to support now or as soon as possible to ensure that we have enough time to
to prepare our network and our service for the games.
We understand from the administration
that any significant assistance that will be forthcoming
will occur in the fiscal year 26 appropriation cycle
after the Paris Olympics have concluded.
Nevertheless, at the administration's request,
our CEO did send a letter to the president
reiterating Metrolinx Olympics needs
previously reported to the board for FY26.
We will keep the board apprised and, in particular, the Olympics ad hoc committee, it has formed
and will work closely with its members as we press forward this advocacy in partnership
with the city, LA28, and our impacted member agencies.
This concludes my report.
I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thank you.
Thank you Jeff. Along that line it might be helpful to have Darren have the ad hoc committee,
trembling, go to Sacramento or and even to Washington DC to seek funds there as a way of
maybe getting it before people who have the money. You know LA28 may not be the appropriate place but
I'll leave that up to the ad hoc committee, but I do suggest that they look at
possibly going to Sacramento and or Washington DC
to seek those funds
Any other comments questions?
Thank you. Mr. Chair. I think that's a good idea
You're welcome
Have have ticket will travel
This is this is a receiving file. Thank you very much Jeff and without objection. That's what the committee will do
Thank you, sir
Next our chief executive officers report. Thank you. Mr. Chair as Jeff alluded to
We had a slight update from what we reported at the last committee meeting the appropriations earmarks that were
That were being considered are on the floor now
We expect the vote
today and certainly that seems to be the direction that's happening. As I
reported, Senators Padilla and Feinstein included 1.6 million dollars for smart
crossing technology. Again, this is technology that has been sort of
pioneered, I don't say sort of, it was pioneered on the Aero Service that
helps with crossings where in communities where we have down gate
issues, ghost train issues, and it's where the train actually speaks to
the crossing rather than old-school technology. So we're appreciative that
1.6 million dollars gets us another four crossings. We currently I believe have
five funded so this will take us to a total of nine. Congressman Brad Sherman
included one million dollars to do some prototype track intrusion, a special
system on the Ventura County line where we'll be placing this intrusion
detection. We got a million dollars on the, again, between the stations of
Van Nuys and Northridge where we've had a history of pedestrian strikes. And then
good news in support of RCTC, the Riverside County Transportation
Commission, Congressman Mark Takano was able to get half a million dollars for
the double-track project in between Marino Valley and Paris on the what is
affectionately known as the San Jacinto branch line or part of the Paris Valley
line so we'll look forward to those those resources into the system I wanted
to very quickly just remind the the members that the March board meeting
will be March 29th that is a fifth Friday not our normal fourth Friday and
that meeting time will be starting at 9 30 rather than our normal start time of
There will be a closed session that the Board will go into immediately at 9.30.
I failed to mention in my last committee report the status of San Clemente.
Condon Johnson, our design build contractor, has made great progress on the project, the
construction of the barrier wall.
It's moving in a timely fashion, and you should have seen news that we do.
In the darkness of night, we are running freight trains through the corridor, and then there
is one Pacific Surfliner train in each direction running in the morning just before, just
as sun is coming up and just as the sun is going down, the reverse direction between
Los Angeles and San Diego.
So there is some passenger service.
We are still not running passenger service as we are trying to stay out of our contractor's
way and let them get the job done.
Mr. Chair, the last thing I want to recognize is that today is International Women's Day.
My thanks to all of the amazing women that are on the Metrolink staff, many of whom
are in the room.
One thing I didn't mention earlier is that if I'm going to do that, I also probably make
sure that I don't think my mom watches these things on Zoom, but in the event mom is watching,
My thanks to my mom, my amazing wife Carrie, and my daughters, Maddie and Vandy.
So amazing women, thank you, special recognition for you today.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you for that update.
Any comments or questions?
Our CEO?
Seeing none, and we're going to committee members.
Any comments?
Seeing none, I have no additional comments other than to thank our staff for the hard
work that you continue to do and and make this organization successful. I
really appreciate all of your efforts. Thank you. And with that we're adjourned.
Thank you very much. Thank you Mr. Chair. Have a good weekend everyone.